Home from home as Gary dons the dress

Musical theatre star Gary Wilmot is closer to home than most performers at Christmas as he is in the middle of a run at Milton Keynes Theatre.

The actor, who lives in Bletchley, is to perform as one of the most famous pantomimes dames in a much loved pantomime role.

Gary said: “I will be playing Window Twankey in Aladdin and it is going to be a show which is great fun. I have worked with Kev Orkian before and he is a great and from all I have heard about Priscilla Presley, she is a really lovely lady.

“I know the script will be good. It is written by Eric Potts who is very experienced as a pantomime writer.

“It is a challenge playing the Dame, especially with the panto frocks and getting changed very quickly. But it is extremely good fun.

And the stage is like a second home to the star.

Gary said: “I do live for the stage to be honest. I like the live reaction that you can get from the audience.

“I wouldn’t appear on television at the moment as some of the things are not to my taste but I am currently in the middle of writing a comedy/drama.

“I have been very lucky with the career I have had. Doing Me and My Girl was great fun, Copa Cobana and even doing Dirty Rotten Scoundrels which is a lot of fun.”

And he is delighted to be returning to the theatre, having previously performed at the venue in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels in September.

Gary added: “I think with the MK Dons going up to the Championship and the theatre, they are two things that people in the area can be very proud of. I live in Bletchley, so it is nice that I won’t have a long commute when I am performing.

“I have done pantomime at Milton Keynes before. I did Dick Whittington 12 years ago and it is a great venue. A great theatre.”